I always wanted to breastfeed Babychair as I knew it was the best thing I could do for her health, though I was concerned whether I could do it or not as my nipples were very sensitive and the thought of having to feed her in public made me sick.

I started breastfeeding straight away and after the first month of cracked nipples and blisters when she latched on wrong, we got it right and it stopped hurting and got a lot easier. By the end of the second month it was actually enjoyable...watching her little face contendly nursing from me..I love it

It is interesting that Nursing In Public (NIP) has actually got a lot easier, I started with a breastfeeding shawl (or a boob tent as Deckchair called it) but I found it was hard to get Babychair latched on right and I felt I was drawing more attention to myself by using it !!!

Now I am happy to NIP wherever, though Deckchair is sometimes uncomfortable. I think to myself would these people care if I bottle fed Babychair here and if the answer is 'No' then I'll breastfeed her there. I try and latch her on fast and show the minimum breast as I don't want to show strangers my breasts

This now begs the question how long are we going to continue to breastfeed ?

When we first started, I was aiming to get to six months, as that is the NHS guidelines, now over three months on, I am thinking of aiming for a year but the WHO guidelines suggest a minimum of two years or beyond.

I suppose in the long run it is not me that decides but Babychair. She will only breastfeed whilst she wants to and I will have to respect her decision on this issue. I can not see us still nursing when she is over a year old but never say never...I will be interested in what I will be writing in my blog 20th August 07 (Babychair's first birthday)

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Links to relevant information

NHS Website
NHS Guidelines say that...

...exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months (26 weeks) of an infant’s life

They go on to note the following benefits to mother & baby...

Breastfeeding is the completely natural way to feed your baby. It also has short-term and long-term health benefits for both mother and child. For mothers, breastfeeding helps to:
strengthen your bones, lower your risk of getting ovarian or breast cancer, and get your pre-pregnancy figure back more quickly. For babies, breastfeeding: protects against diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, ear and chest infections, reduces the risk of diabetes or eczema, and means their nappies are less smelly.

World Health Organisation (WHO)
The World Health organusation goes further and says that...

...exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the optimal way of feeding infants. Thereafter infants should receive complementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond

They go on to say...

Breastmilk promotes sensory and cognitive development, and protects the infant against infectious and chronic diseases. Exclusive breastfeeding reduces infant mortality due to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea or pneumonia, and helps for a quicker recovery during illness.

...and also...

Breastfeeding contributes to the health and well-being of mothers, it helps to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, increases family and national resources, is a secure way of feeding and is safe for the environment

Kelly Mom
Kelly Mom is a very valuable resource on breastfeeding and parenting and I have started to read about the vast amount of information which supports extended breastfeeding.